Property360Digest E-MAGAZINE Issue#5 | Page 27

may be difficult to sell because it is next to a sewerage treatment pond. An otherwise attractive and affordable apartment may be impossible to sell because there was a suicide on the same floor. Some liquidity factors may be outside your control but with a bit of planning, you can make it easier to liquidate. 1. Remember that property is not very liquid will have a tough time finding buyers. More often than not, spending a little money to make your property look attractive increases the chances of selling it. In conclusion, properties are great investment vehicles but it is very important to know how to manage its liquidity factor. The ability to manage this is the difference between a sound investment and a risky investment. NEVER plan to rely on your capital gain for emergencies. You need to have very liquid assets like cash, stocks, or insurance as contingency reserves, not property. 2. Plan your exit When you buy a property, plan your exit strategy. You may want to sell it after 10 years to upgrade or perhaps sell it to pay your son’s college tuition. Either way, knowing when you want to exit is important to realizing gain. 3. Look at demand factors Buy properties with strong potential for demand. You should consider infrastructure, connectivity, affordability, and layout of the property. 4. Emphasize perceived value over market value Your property may have a market value of RM500,000 but if it is perceived to be worth less because it is rundown, you Ikhram is a certified content marketer, public speaker, and author of The Ultimate Guide to Buying Property. Ikhram’s specialization is in property markets and personal growth. The Asian Property Review, in 2017, called him “one of the most experienced and successful AirBnB hosts in Malaysia”. He shares insights about the property market on his blog at www.LivingSpace. com.my. Ikhram holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Monash University with double majors in Strategic Management and Electronic Commerce. PROPERTY360DIGEST 27